Our Professional Instructors

Trained in Classical Ballet under the tutelage of Ms Sylvia McCully, Andrew is also well versed in Modern Dance, jazz Ballet, Chinese Dance, South East Asian Dance, Social & Ballroom Dances.He holds a Certificate in Professional Development Course for Dance Teachers awarded by The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing in Collaboration with CCA Branch, MOE and is an Associate member of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing.

Apart from being a dancer and teacher, Andrew has also choreographed many significant national and international renown events whose name is not unknown amongst dance associates in the industry. His choreographic being 2009, Asian Youth Games 2009 Opening Ceremony, World Exposition, Aichi, Japan 2005 (MTV at Singapore Pavilion), National Volunteers Centre Opening Ceremony Ministry of Community Development & Sport National Day Observance Celebrations, Youth Science Festival and MOE Excel Dayrn Andrew diversified teaching experience also cover tertiary institutions, government bodies & statutory boards, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, The Theater Arts Troupe, MediaCorp and many other commercial projects.

Andrew joined Joyful Steps as a Senior Classical Ballet Teacher since 2009 and have also taught Adults Jazz and Salsa.

Carine started ballet lessons at the age of 6 and her passion in dance spurred her into exploring other dances and movement methodologies in later years. She is a registered ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and is also trained in Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Jazz syllabus.

With a strong belief that movement not only improves a person’s physical well-being but also builds inner confidence, Carine engages in a continuous pursuit for knowledge in kinesiology to hone her skills further as a competent teacher. In her journey of intensive training, Carine has gained several reputable credentials over the years. SHe has completed her Pilates training and is a qualified Pilates Instructor for both Studio and Mat series, awarded by Polestar Pilates Education (International). In addition, she is certified in Gyrotonic Level 1 & 2 accredited from USA, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga from Tirisula, just to name a few. She attends teacher’s workshops regularly to keep her knowledge current.

Graduated from NUS Business School, Carine advocates a balance lifestyle with both physical activities and academics for her students. Armed with rich experience and passion, she never stop to inspire greater dance interest and creates meaningful dance journey for all her students at Joyful Steps for the past 6 years.

Since her first ballet class at the age of 3, Chiok Woon never stopped dancing. Under the tutelage of Ms Jennie Ng and Ms Ong Long, she has been awarded honours in her CSTD Elementary Classical Ballet Examination and consistently receiving Distinctions in her RAD Classical Ballet Examinations.

An experienced performer, passionate in both ballet and contemporary dance, she is a founding member of Sigma Contemporary Dance, a non-profit independent dance group, which constantly strives to push boundaries in the contemporary dance arena. They continually create and produce their own works and perform in local arts festivals such as M1 Open Stage 2013, Continuum 2013 and Verve 2014.

Chiok Woon has been a freelance teacher for over 7 years before she joined Joyful Steps as our classical ballet and contemporary teacher 5 years ago. She aspires to be a dance teacher who not only trains and inspires her students to become great dancers but also teaches them to be great individuals too.

Min Xuan began dancing at the age of six. She has completed all the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Graded Examinations and Advance Foundation with merits and distinctions. Apart from her regular training, she has participated in RAD Summer School in 2006 and 2011, as well as many other dance courses.

In 2014, Min Xuan attained her RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, which she was awarded with the RAD Registered Teacher status. Since then, she has taught students ranging from Pre-School to Adult. She is experienced in teaching and facilitating dance workshops and dance camps too. In addition, she has choreographed numerous ballet and jazz performances. With her strong leadership skills and being a technology enthusiast, this has propelled her to spearhead concerts and other dance events – From poster designing to choreographing to producing program book to lighting and audio management.

Even after being a teacher, Min Xuan seeks ways to develop her dance technique and knowledge. Min Xuan had the opportunity to perform at the esteemed Esplanade during Singapore Dance Theatre – ‘Celebration in Dance 2016’. In recent years, she has participated overseas group competitions with her students and clinched home 1^st and 2^nd place trophies. In 2018, Min Xuan took the newly launched RAD Repertoire Level 4 Examination and she was awarded with Distinction.

With her passion in Dance, Min Xuan is dedicated to impart her dance knowledge and inspire her students to be excellence driven. She takes immense satisfaction and joy in dance teaching. Most importantly, Min Xuan believes that Dance is an empowering tool to build and nurture dancers with character and value.

Jaime started ballet at the age of 4 at the Priscilla Ballet Academy in Penang and is trained in classical ballet, tap and jazz.

A versatile performer, Jaime has danced in productions of ‘The Nutcracker’,’It’s A Small World’,’Aseanika’,’An Enchanted Evening of a Dance’ and ‘A Night at The Theatre’. Her operetta appearances as a dancer includes ‘The Merry Widow’, ‘The Land of Smiles’, ‘Carmen’, and ‘La Traviata’.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Administration and in 2003, she completed her postgraduates studies in The Teaching of English (TESOL) from Macquarie University, Sydney. While in Australia, Jaime was trained in classical ballet under Hilary Kaplan who is a dual ballet examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance (London).
Since her return from Australia, Jaime was mentored by Priscilla Teoh for her ballet teachers’ training programme in which she successfully completed the Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies. Priscilla Teoh incidentally is a Graded Examiner of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).

Jaime is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), London and has taught musical theatre and classical ballet at Priscilla Ballet Academy in Penang, Malaysia for 6 years. She has since re-located to SIngapore and is now a permanent resident in Singapore. She has been a resident Classical Ballet Mistress with Joyful Steps since 2010.

Melissa began her dance journey with her first ballet lesson at the tender age of 3. Through the years of dancing and performing, her love for dancing deepened and pushed her to consider teaching. Apart from being trained in Classical Ballet (RAD), this passionate dancer is also trained in Tap and Jazz (ATODi). Since obtaining her teaching qualifications, Melissa has been on Joyful Steps’ team of part-time teaching faculty for the past decade.

As a performer, Melissa has participated in both local and overseas productions. Locally, she has performed in ‘Takashimaya Women’s Day’, ‘President’s Challenge Dance-a-ton’, ‘Just Dance’ at Victoria Theatre, ‘Chingay: Parade of Dreams’, ‘Passion Card’ Launch, ‘Arts Form the Heart’, and ‘Celebrate Dance, an Annual Dance Performance’. She was also a part of the ‘Pambroadbent Academy 30th Anniversary’ performance in Melbourne.

After graduating with a Degree in Communications, she realised that her true passion was ultimately still in dance – specifically the sharing of her dance knowledge with others rather than just dancing or performing. Melissa eventually went on to pursue dancing under the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and she graduated as a qualified teacher with the academy. Eventually, she went on to obtain her RAD Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education (BA, hons) from the University of Bath.

Since her qualification in 2007, Melissa has taught all levels of the RAD Children’s as well as Vocational Graded Syllabus. Over the years, her students have obtained a 100% passing rate, with 70% scoring distinctions.

Livia took up freelance teaching 5 years ago driven by her passion to impart her passion and knowledge in dance. She has an abundant of experience in sending her students for competitions, direct school admissions (DSA) and auditions, often winning awards and entering the schools of their choice.

She is a motivated individual who pushes her limits and strives to achieve deeper understanding in dance. She completed the Bachelors (Hons) in Dance Education (BADE) at certificate level with the RAD, UK and spent a week at the RAD headquarters in London for lectures and seminars.

Livia was very passionate as a young child, who constantly sought improvement. Her pursuit for perfection has won her various leadership awards in school. This also translated to Distinctions in Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations and placing for competitions in her teens.

With her rich experience in competitions and auditions over her growing years, she is an inspiration for young dancers who love to challenge themselves.

Sabrina started ballet lessons at a young age of 6 and completed all levels of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), U.K. graded examinations under the tutelage of Tay Hee Ngerng, and Kee Keng Hwen for her major examinations, for which, she achieved a Distinction for her Advanced 1 examination.

Besides ballet, she went on to explore other dance genres which included Chinese, Japanese and Modern dances. She is also an experienced peer and has peered at many schools and national events. Sabrina believes in giving her best to her students. She aspires to be a teacher who not only imparts knowledge, but also nurture them to be great individuals. As a RAD Registered Teacher, she continues to upgrade herself yearly through continuing professional dance courses and is now pursuing a dance degree programme with the RAD. Sabrina joined our part time teaching faculty in 2016.

Simone Lee began her training in ballet with Ms Alice Lee when she was 4 years old. She peered in various commercial dance shows and dance events, e.g. on the Verge 1999, Changgay 2005, 5th Asia Pacific Dance Competition (CSTD) 2003 and Dance Festival 2006. She graduated with a Diploma in Dance from LaSalle, college of the arts in 2007 and holds a Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the RAD. She is interested to learn different dance s and loves watching dance perances especially during the annual Arts and Dance Festival.

She is passionate about teaching ballet and believes that pre-school dancers should have a fun and safe environment and be able to explore with movements, rhythm and . She believes in working with parents for the good of her students and that older dancers should have an inspiring and safe dance experience, be taught discipline and good ballet foundation that will last them their whole life. Ms Lee has been teaching ballet to young children since 2007. She has also been pre-school teacher for four and a half years before dedicating her time fully to teach ballet. She joined Joyful Steps since 2011.

Maqrius is an experienced performer, instructor and choreographer who specialized in the genre of hip-hop dance. Immutable energy, slick choreographer and nifty footwork make up the commanding stage presence of this ‘dance-machine’. He has been a resident Urban Dance Instructor with Joyful Steps for almost 10 years now, which recently became a Founding Partner of our new Urban Steps Academy.

Since the age of 17, he has been learning the techniques to hip hop dance, specifically, popping. Throughout the years, he has explored different genres of dance ranging from Lating, Disco, Sixties, Line Dance and the other techniques of hip hop.
It was in 2004, that Maqrius hosted the 3-week dance performance for the HipHopKidz from the U.S.A. During his time with them, he made many close friends including the crew Evidence and his mentor cum close friend George Tandy Jr. inpired by these talented performers, HipHopKickStart was established.

In 2005, Maqrius started dancing for small TV shows. Maqrius also participated as a choreographer in bigger events such as Chingay, Racial Harmony Day 2005, ‘A Nation in Concert 2006’ at the Esplanade, ‘Get High Concert 2007’ and once representing Singapore to take part in the International Nature Loving Association 2008. In that he was awarded the most creative dance award.
His teaching experience revolves teaching with charitable organizations, studios such as YMCA, Media companies such as Media Corp and over 20 different schools including NTU/ADM.

Over the years, this man has been seen as a focused and dynamic performer on stage, and an equally experssive, dedicated and patient dance instructor to his students at class.

A personal trainer by profession for many years, Haslinda fell in love with barre “at first try”. Fueled with passion to share her love for fitness and barre, she decided to participate in Joyful Steps’ WeBarre Instructors Sponsorship Programme 3 years ago.

As a pioneer in delivering the WeBarre method in our school, she has never failed to engage clients’ favour for her classes and constantly ensures that the barre programme is delivered with standard and quality. She is also well liked for the energy she exudes in class yet, cheerful and encouraging in ensuring that every client will still enjoy the class exercises in their own pace. Come and try out both her Fundamentals and Multi-Signature level barre classes. You will love her!

Min Xuan began dancing at the age of six. She has completed all the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Graded Examinations and Advance Foundation with merits and distinctions. Apart from her regular training, she has participated in RAD Summer School in 2006 and 2011, as well as many other dance courses.

In 2014, Min Xuan attained her RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, which she was awarded with the RAD Registered Teacher status. Since then, she has taught students ranging from Pre-School to Adult. She is experienced in teaching and facilitating dance workshops and dance camps too. In addition, she has choreographed numerous ballet and jazz performances. With her strong leadership skills and being a technology enthusiast, this has propelled her to spearhead concerts and other dance events – From poster designing to choreographing to producing program book to lighting and audio management.

Even after being a teacher, Min Xuan seeks ways to develop her dance technique and knowledge. Min Xuan had the opportunity to perform at the esteemed Esplanade during Singapore Dance Theatre – ‘Celebration in Dance 2016’. In recent years, she has participated overseas group competitions with her students and clinched home 1^st and 2^nd place trophies. In 2018, Min Xuan took the newly launched RAD Repertoire Level 4 Examination and she was awarded with Distinction.

With her passion in Dance, Min Xuan is dedicated to impart her dance knowledge and inspire her students to be excellence driven. She takes immense satisfaction and joy in dance teaching. Most importantly, Min Xuan believes that Dance is an empowering tool to build and nurture dancers with character and value.

A fitness specialist for 13 years, Aidah has been a corporate and personal trainer at commercial gyms for 7 years before freelancing at various medical organisations, ActiveSG initiatives and tertiary institutions. Aida passion for fitness spurred her into exploring more trainers certification programmes.

Today, Aidah is a qualified instructor in Pilates, Zumba and High Impact Aerobics, with WeBarre as her most recent accomplishment. To her, WeBarre is one of the few workouts that you can indulge in, have fun and yet, strengthen your entire all in just a 60-minute session!